The Golden Era Refinishing Page

GoldenEraGuitars

Hi everyone, I plan to keep my refinishing updates separate to my other thread. I think it’s always fun to see how the bodies go through their transformations, it would be good to focus on those projects here. I’ll update the page when I can, hope you’ll come along for the journey.

GoldenEraGuitars

This is a good starting point to show what a refinish can do, albeit at the time of posting this in update I’m not quite finished yet.

This is a Mexican made Tele, im afraid I don’t know the exact model. Vintera? Anyway, it was all urethane at this point and while not as thickly finished as other Fenders I’ve had in it was certainly stubborn and plasticky. 

Now… a before shot, of course -

Most of this finish was removed using heat/scraping/sanding. I change it up from time to time based on what else I’ve got going on. I could have used a chemical stripper but I recall the day I stripped the body was sunny and mild so I wanted to work outside in the fresh air. 

Once the stripping was done (both body and neck) I decided to use my terrible iPhone camera to capture the moment…

I was quite surprised and impressed to see such a pretty grain appear. I think this is always something that baffles me about mass guitar manufacturers… why hide something so nice? 

Suffice to say its new finish would let the grain show through properly. I pressed on with grain filling and filling in the dents and dings, followed with a lot of sanding.

Fast forward to the spray booth - 

The combination of bright lights, blonde lacquer and a bad phone camera doesn’t do much for it but hopefully you can get the idea.

I’m still working on the neck just now, but the body is back from the booth and dry enough to handle. So, a great opportunity for a photo with the proper camera -

The customer wants a relatively “clean” blonde white guard look (55/56 style). I’m happy to say that’s right up my street, once the neck is sprayed I’ll be able to get a full length photo. 

GoldenEraGuitars

This polyurethane clad Mexican Tele body is also getting a new finish. I decide to go the chemical route with this one, as you can see. 

It never gets old tbh.. I love watching these plastic finishes melt to goop. 

GoldenEraGuitars

A quick video of the Paisley part of a 1968 Fender Telecaster body 

https://youtu.be/Kt6cMVjVYDc?si=cQ4vrGi7Eprs4xL2

strtdv

@GoldenEraGuitars I don't suppose the chemical stripper would also dissolve the plastic tub? I have visions of the bath scene from Breaking Bad

GoldenEraGuitars

strtdv said:

@GoldenEraGuitars I don't suppose the chemical stripper would also dissolve the plastic tub? I have visions of the bath scene from Breaking Bad

No, thankfully it just attacks the plasticky finishes of the bodies. The boxes remain firmly intact.

Tbh, I’ve never seen Breaking Bad.

GoldenEraGuitars

Well, never a dull moment here.

1957 was a decent year for fender, so I’m told. 

This one is about to be stripped and prepped for a new coat of aged black nitro.

GoldenEraGuitars

I decided to photograph each of the bodies as they’re being unpacked. This is the 57 Strat which has a very DIY sort of rattle can finish on it.

At the time of posting these pictures I’ve nearly finished stripping this one, it’ll be getting a lightly aged black nitro paint job.

GoldenEraGuitars

Dave’s Fender Strat, before/during/after.

Off came the dark burst urethane, on went the faded nitro burst complete with deeper tummy cut and light ageing.

jackio

As in, a real '57 strat??

GoldenEraGuitars

jackio said:

As in, a real '57 strat??

Yes, I have another one here too with a 63 and 64 Strat as well. 

GoldenEraGuitars

Just in - a 64 Strat with a previous burgundy mist refin. It’ll be heading back out with some
surf green nitro

GoldenEraGuitars

A 63 Strat beginning the stripping process. This one should be in the booth in the next 4-5 days for a it’s new sonic blue finish. 

Tbf, this shade and finish was pretty good.. but it’ll be much better when it leaves here.

SixStringSage

How much does it cost to strip a poly finish and apply nitro?

GoldenEraGuitars

You can find everything here

https://goldenera-guitars.co.uk/pages/finishing-refinishing

GoldenEraGuitars

A 58 Strat getting a beautiful faded burst today 

fnpt

Do you also do modern standard Gibsons?

GoldenEraGuitars

fnpt said:

Do you also do modern standard Gibsons?

I can do and I have done in the past, What did you have in mind?

fnpt

Les Paul traditional from 2016. I have already made some modifications (plastics, hardware, pickups and loom) but I’m not entirely happy with the color. I will pm you.

GoldenEraGuitars

There is plenty in the mix at the moment already. This is just a selection of bodies that I have been prepping recently for finishing and refinishing. There has been a lovely mix of anything from Squier bodies up to vintage bodies arriving over the last couple of weeks. 

Customers supplying their own bodies seems to be a popular option too. One thing I have enjoyed about the refinishing process more than anything else is reconnecting with guitar players and customers. Selling finished bodies is still something I will be doing. But being able to join in on somebody’s self build journey in the early phases is exciting. 

GoldenEraGuitars

A recently refinished fender swamp ash body and maple neck, more pics to follow very soon!